by Olivia Barker, USA TODAY

by Olivia Barker, USA TODAY

It raised many a fashion watcher's perfectly plucked eyebrow: Why did Anne Hathaway pull the red carpet out from under her presumed Oscar designer, Valentino, and wear Prada instead? Especially considering that Valentino is a favorite of Hathaway's?

(The house, which designed Hathaway's wedding dress, even sent out a release describing her choice: embroidered tulle. But the actress told USA TODAY's Andrea Mandell during arrivals, "I didn't know what I was wearing until two hours ago.")

Fashionista.com has heard a rumor worthy of a scene in The Devil Wears Prada itself: Apparently, when Hathaway caught a glimpse of Les Mis co-star Amanda Seyfried's icy Alexander McQueen, she "freaked out" over its similarity to her Valentino gown. So stylist Rachel Zoe called in the crinoline cavalry and lo: the best supporting actress padded up to the podium in pale pink Prada.

One of the site's particularly detail-minded readers dug up the potentially offending doppelganger of a dress, a couture gown from Valentino's spring 2013 collection.

Whatever the truth, it's the most exciting sartorial scandal to strike the stylishly staid Oscars in years.

"It came to my attention late Saturday night that there would be a dress worn to the Oscars that is remarkably similar to the Valentino I had intended to wear, and so I decided it was best for all involved to change my plans."

"Though I love the dress I did wear, it was a difficult last minute decision as I had so looked forward to wearing Valentino in honor of the deep and meaningful relationship I have enjoyed with the house and with Valentino himself," Hathaway added.